Little bit of knowledge, lot of luck....

heater451

Registered
So last Friday, I played in a local, bar tournament--single race, double-elimination, 8-ball, BCA rules on 7-ft Diamonds.

I am an acquaintance/friend with my opponent, and he missed the 8 and left this:

lucky_out_1a_50pct.png



I didn't immediately see a defensive shot, as for something like this I tend to pull something from a memorized play, rather than think of a safety on the spot. Also, I am NOT a fan of the long, single-cushion kick, so I wound up doing this:

lucky_out_1b_50pct.png


3-Cushions to the 13--I forgot to add an arrow to the pocket. The cue ball wound up about a 1/2 ball off of the 8, but it was bankable.

My opponent then turned to the spectator next to him, and said, "That's why I hate that guy...."


Note: The arrowhead in the 2nd pic jumped as I placed it, so it's placement beyond the center of the ball was not my choice, and looks awkward to me. :unsure:
 
Can't argue with what worked but I would favor the bank off of the head rail and kissing the rail near the thirteen to reduce the angle into the thirteen and have the cue ball come out. I also try to stay at least twelve inches from my next ball. Getting too close can create unplayable shots too easily.

None of what I would have done matters when you got the W by your name though!

When we visualize a shot clearly it is usually the shot to take, regardless of the highest percentage shot. Some days when balls aren't wanting to fall I bank when there are easier shots.

Hu
 
Can't argue with what worked but I would favor the bank off of the head rail and kissing the rail near the thirteen to reduce the angle into the thirteen and have the cue ball come out. I also try to stay at least twelve inches from my next ball. Getting too close can create unplayable shots too easily.

None of what I would have done matters when you got the W by your name though!

When we visualize a shot clearly it is usually the shot to take, regardless of the highest percentage shot. Some days when balls aren't wanting to fall I bank when there are easier shots.

Hu
Agree. The head rail bank also greatly reduces the likelihood of hitting the 8 first and giving BIH, but you can't argue with success!
 
Keep in mind up.... the up/down kick after Miss.... creates defensive positions. Here's just a few.
1. cb might land froze to foot rail
2. cb might get behind my ball
3. might billiard cb off long rail to middle of foot rail leaving a ball not bankable
4. prefer to kick it and win
 
Seems like most favor the long, single-cushion kick. I get that for simplicity, but thinking about it a bit, I realized that I actually 'practice' the 3-cushion kick more often. There's a lot of times with friends (also league players), where we will end games shooting for the 3-c bank or the kick. It's mostly messing around, but I wind up shooting the 3 far more than the 1.
 
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